Toon v QPR. Kick off 7:45PMNewcastle United have a great opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table but QPR will make for stiff opposition.
The three teams below us failed to win last night. West Brom suffered a surprise defeat by Barnsley, Preston lost at home to Reading and Middlesbrough lost at home to Leicester. Charmed results as far we’re concerned and if we can capitalise on them and get the win tonight we’ll go 5 points clear at the top of the table.
QPR are sitting in the middle of the table on 13 points but they have two games in hand over most of the teams above them and a win tonight would see them up amongst the play-off positions, so they have everything to play for.
QPR have only lost once in the league this season, which was away to Bristol City. They’ve notched up draws against Blackpool (H), Plymouth (A), Forest (H) and Peterborough (H) and wins against Scunthorpe (A), Cardiff (A) and Barnsley (H). (more…)
Kevin Nolan takes his ball home.Firstly of course, this game will be remembered as a time when Ipswich paid tribute to the great Sir Bobby Robson and renamed the north stand of Portman Road in his honour. Lady Elsie Robson and her sons, Andrew and Paul were in attendance for the ceremony. Also, both teams wore special, commemorative kits for the game, and a musical tribute of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ was held during the half time break in what was a moving event for both sets of fans.
On the game itself, Merseyside hit squad, Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor came up trumps once again as Newcastle United eventually cruised to a 4 – 0 win at Portman Road, including a debut hat-trick for Nolan. Though there were times when he looked like a certain number 9 as he combined opportunism, strength, and good finishing, Ipswich certainly made it alot easier than it should have been with some pretty awful defending at times. This gave Toon in general, and Nolan particular more than enough space to play the game that they wanted. Ryan Taylor also added to the total with a superbly taken free kick for the third, along with some excellent mortar fire, creating several opportunities around the Ipswich goal.
Ipswich’s attack was pretty awful too generally. Being seemingly terrified to crack one off in the box, they had very few chances overall. The midfield were poor too, though perhaps not quite as bad as the rest, they were bullied by a no nonsense Magpie mid section full of enforcers including captain, Alan ‘Slasher’ Smith, who wasted no time rolling his sleeves up and getting stuck into some raw meat as usual. (more…)
Keano walks his dog.Kick-off Portman Road, Saturday, 5:30PM [live on BBC1].
Firstly of course, Newcastle United’s Championship clash with Ipswich will be another game overshadowed by the memory of the great Sir Bobby Robson, who managed the ‘Tractor Boys’ for some thirteen years, building the Suffolk team patiently and taking them to the heights of both domestic and European competition. Before the game commences, Portman Road’s North stand will be officially renamed the ‘Sir Bobby Robson Stand’. In a further tribute, both teams will play in a special commemorative kit for the occaision. Incidentally, the last time the Magpies faced Ipswich (at SJP in 2002), Sir Bobby was manager and the teams drew, 2-2, with Ipswich taking the early initiative, and Toon equalising twice to grab a point. The word is that Ipwich have sold 25,000 tickets for the occaision, and a 27,000 full house is almost certain as Ipswich fans pay tribute to probably their greatest manager, alongside that other titan of the England dugout, Sir Alf Ramsey.
Unfortunately for Ipswich, they have being having a right old mare of a season so far with Keane. They are currently second bottom of the Championship, with no wins, four draws and four losses. In the ‘vale of tears’ world that being a Magpie is though, this will only make things worse for us if they manage to rise like a wouded animal and pull off a shock victory. (more…)
Naked ambitionThe official Aston Villa site has confirmed that Martin O’Neill has agreed the 3-month loan of Marlon Harewood to Newcastle United. The rumours have been rife for weeks now but the speculation ends with the forward joining us at a critical point when our threadbare squad is already being stretched to capacity with a handful of injuries. The official Newcastle site is yet to make an announcement but it seems apparent the deal has or at least will go through in time for the weekend.
The jury appears to be out for Harewood, though I guess all loanees are always scrutinised for the very fact they’re carrying that status, the question being, why are they being loaned out? O’Neill has already gone on record to say Marlon can hopefully get some games under his belt and gain some much-needed fitness. Unfortunately, we really need players who are just about there and ready to hit the ground running so hopefully he’s not too far away and Hughton will welcome him into the squad for Saturday’s televised game at Ipswich. (more…)
Toon by tomorrowMartin O’Neill has confirmed that Newcastle are set to take Marlon Harewood on a 3-month ’emergency’ loan. The move should be completed by Friday.
O’Neill said:
“Newcastle are still looking to do something in terms of Marlon.
“I think they are waiting to hear whether they have permission from their owner to go and progress the move.
“I think the opportunity for him now coming back from injury, to get involved in a cause, would be very important and only a benefit for all of us.
“Marlon has been out since pre-season with injuries. He is fighting back, is feeling fine, trained for a few days on the trot.
“But people are pressing for places and at this moment we have competition up front. Delfouneso is going to be a really excellent player and he is hovering around in terms of being on the bench.” (more…)
